Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 Calendar of Events
Sunday, January 11th - Sunday February 22nd
See below for Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission's 2026 Calendar of Events:
MLK Candlelight Vigil and March - Sunday, January 11th at 3:30pm: The City of Orlando Mayor's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission will host a candlelight vigil at Orlando City Hall. Following the Candlelight Vigil is the Interfaith/Multicultural Celebration presented by the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, with guest speaker State Senator LaVon Bracy Davis. The celebration’s theme is “Let Us Be Dissatisfied" from MLK's speech, "Where Do We Go from Here" and includes representation from various faith traditions and worldviews. More info HERE
2026 Interfaith Multicultural Celebration - Sunday, January 11th at 4pm: Following the Candlelight Vigil is the Interfaith/Multicultural Celebration Celebration presented by the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, with guest speaker State Senator LaVon Bracy Davis. The event is a celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his vision of a beloved community. This year's theme is “Let Us Be Dissatisfied" from MLK's speech, "Where Do We Go from Here" and includes representation from various faith traditions and worldviews. More info HERE
Orlando City Council Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Presentation - Monday, January 12th at 2pm: Mayor Dyer and the City Commissioners will proclaim January 11-19, 2026, as “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Week” in the City of Orlando. More info HERE
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Forum - Thursday, January 15th at 7pm: During the Leadership Forum, presented by the Orlando Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, participants will take part in a moderated, interactive event with key leaders of the Orlando community todiscuss this year’s theme of The Economics of Justice: Why Equity is Good Business. More info HERE
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Luncheon - Friday, January 16th at 11:30am: This luncheon, presented by the Orlando Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, begins with keynote speaker Jeff Johnson, a cultural translator, truth-teller, and ecosystem builder. At the event, students, community leaders and organizations will be recognized for their contributions with the prestigious Drum Major Award in areas of Scholastic Achievement, Civic Affairs, Social Justice, Community Service and Business. More info HERE
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Downtown Orlando Parade - Saturday, January 17th at 10:00am: Join the Southwest Orlando Jaycees for an exciting event that will feature dance, comedy, community organizations, drumlines, music, artistic expression and more. The parade theme is “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way. More info HERE
City of Kissimmee MLK Unity Festival - Saturday, January 17th from 12pm - 4pm: Celebrate the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Kissimmee's inspiring annual Unity Festival. This vibrant event honors Dr. King's powerful message of unity, diversity and goodwill through soul-stirring live music, dynamic stage performances, and the beautiful Unity Garden featuring original children's artwork that reflects his timeless ideals. More info HERE
Unity Heritage Festival - Sunday, January 18th from 1pm - 5pm and Monday, January 19th from 10am - 5pm: This annual 2-day community festival will promote family heritage and raise funds for the Educational Fulfillment Fund to benefit local economically disadvantaged youth. The festival begins on Sunday, January 18, from 1 to 5 p.m., in Shady Park at Hannibal Square, located at the intersection of Pennsylvania and New England avenues. Special activities will include children’s games, career booths, food and retail vendors, as well as job training/readiness and financial literacy. On Monday, January 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy programs, blues and jazz music, kids' activities, food and retail vendors. More info HERE
Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy 33rd Annual Prayer Breakfast - Monday, January 19 at 7:45am: Presented by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the Central Florida YMCA, the annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast will commemorate the legacies of civil rights pioneers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, Orlando’s first African American City Council Member. This year’s guest speaker will be Tony Jenkins, Market President for the Central Florida region. Held each year on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for more than three decades, this prayer breakfast traditionally brings together more than 1,000 civic leaders, pastors and Central Florida neighbors in faith, prayer and the shared commitment to strengthen the community and improve lives. More info HERE
Seedlings for Civil Rights - Monday, January 19th at 9am: During the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the City of Orlando’s Green Up and Keep Orlando Beautiful programs coordinate efforts to beautify the area around Rosemont Community Center by planting, mulching, and removing litter in the surrounding park and other areas. Snacks, water and all needed supplies provided for volunteers. Closed toe shoes required. More info HERE
MLK 2026 Great Day of Service - Million Meal Pack - Monday, January 19th from 9am - 3:30pm: Join us and US Hunger with sponsorship from Kroger Foods for a food packing event on MLK Day. We're looking for 5,000 volunteers to pack one million meals for those in need in the Orlando community. Let’s make this a day on, not a day off. More info HERE
City of Ocoee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day Unity Parade & Celebration - Monday, January 19th from 10am - 12pm: Join the City of Ocoee at its 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration. The public is invited to attend a post-parade celebration that will take place in the West Oaks Mall food court at 11 a.m. Master of Ceremony is Allie Braswell. Keynote speaker is Ocoee resident, Ages Hart. The parade runs on Clarke Road. It begins at Citrus Elementary School, 87 North Clarke Road and ends at the parking lot of the West Oaks Mall. More info HERE
MLK Night at the Orlando Magic - Friday, January 23rd at 7pm: The event will recognize Mayor Dyer’s MLK Youth Humanitarian Award Winners at the Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game. More info HERE
MLK Gospel Concert - Sunday, February 22nd at 7pm: The MLK Concert is presented by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and produced and directed by Grammy Award Winner, Dr. Jeffrey Redding celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Admission is free, however attendees are requested to bring non-perishable food donations for UP – United Against Poverty which will be distributed to various local community and school food pantries. More info HERE